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This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks.Read more

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This item is available for pre-order and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks.Read more

About

Crafted by hand from ceramic, the iconic Aztec calendar makes a stunning addition to your tree during the holiday season. Artisans from the Angel Ceron Artisan Association design this set of four, accentuated by a brown finish that lends them an ancient aesthetic.

Meet the artist

"Now that I'm retired, I can dedicate my time to my great passion – representing my pre-Hispanic cultural heritage."

Update (July, 2019)

"I've been working hand-in-hand with NOVICA since 2003. It was my nephew, Eduardo Escamilla, who suggested I work with NOVICA, and I found the project to be spectacular. As you may know, I'm an engineer by profession but I feel an overwhelming passion for our pre-Hispanic cultures. This is what led me to create my own representations of the deities from our past. This has been a process in which, together with my family, we've continuously perfected our designs and this is also because I love perfection.

"Through NOVICA, I was able to become more independent and offer work to more families who assist me. Together with my nephew Eduardo, I've increased the number of designs so that our catalog shows a wide range of sculptures.

"One of the most significant challenges I've had to face was my battle with cancer. Unfortunately, it's come back even more intensely, but every member of my family has always been with me. Sadly, my cancer is terminal now, and my family is always by my side.

"Today, my health prevents me from looking after each detail of my work, as I always used to. But the artisans who assist me in the workshop are some of the finest talents in Mexico."
The Angel Ceron Artisan Association is composed of Milton González, Emilio Espejel, Brian Gonzalez, Isaac Espejel, Adrian Gonzalez, Josefina Claudio, Jorge Esparza, Saul Landon, Mauricio Hernandez, Guadalupe Lopez, Magdalena Torres, and Erick Contreras. Everyone is charged with a type of sculpture and specializes in a particular technique.

Original Artisan Story

Angel Cerón comes from a family with generations of artisan experience. He learned the family ceramic techniques from his father, Antonio Cerón Orta, a renowned artisan. Angel began a long study of Mexico's pre-Hispanic cultures and learned the Nahuatl language spoken in ancient Mesoamerica.

First the proper materials must be acquired. Cerón uses clay from northern Oaxaca state, the only clay of this kind in Mexico and perhaps in the world. The unique characteristics of this yellow clay make it ideal for molding. It dries evenly and is especially hard, thus it is resistant to impact and can withstand very high temperatures.

The clay is ground in a mill, deposited in tubs of water and stirred constantly until it acquires a homogeneous consistency. This step can take hours. Left to stand for three days, it remains a thick liquid. Cerón strains it and lets it repose one more day, although during the winter this is hard work, performed in the open air. The blocks are divided into smaller portions and dried in the sun for several hours. Only a qualified artisan can determine when the clay has reached the proper consistency. Then it is kneaded by hand, much as one kneads bread dough, and again it is the skilled artisan who can tell when it is ready to be worked.

Cerón then begins to shape his sculptures, some more complex than others. The details are created totally by hand and some figures are so complicated that they are absolutely unique or part of limited editions. Each piece is modeled by hand and the artisan's talent is a crucial factor.

Once shaped, the sculptures dry as long as needed, some for as long as a week. They must dry in the shade because the clay might split and crack in the sun. Once dry, they are adorned with mineral pigments and high-fired at temperatures of up to 2,327º F for eight to twelve hours, depending on the season (the kilns are located outdoors). After firing, the pieces need to stand for six hours, cooling gradually.

Finally, they receive a "bath" of earth to give them their unique antique effect, which features slight cracks.

We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.

This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 4 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.

Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.

If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.

This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).

We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.

Triple 'Win' Pricing

Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.

WIN # 1 You Save!

Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.

WIN # 2 Children Benefit!

Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.

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Triple 'Win' Pricing

Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.

WIN # 1 You Save!

Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.

WIN # 2 Children Benefit!

Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.

The Kiva Store is powered by NOVICA and accepts payments using PayPal. Your Kiva Store purchases are not connected to your Kiva lending account.

Kiva is a 501(c)3 U.S. nonprofit fueled by passionate people. Founded in 2005, and based in San Francisco, with offices in Nairobi and staff around the globe. Donate to our operating expenses (eligible for a tax deduction in the U.S.).